Doctor said nose is not broken, but there is a bump on the right side. What could it be?

Question

My 14 yr old son got elbowed in the nose playing basketball. It bled and got swollen right away, but he was not in much pain after. I took him for xrays but the doc said it was not broken, and the bump may just be a "knot" on the right side of his nose that will go away. Is that accurate? It's been a little over a week and it still has not gone down. I don't want this to be permanent. Please help.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

It would be difficult to determine at one week what the bump may signify without an exam.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

In the presence of recent trauma and a an otherwise normal x-ray--- but a visible and a palpable lump on the nose-- a physical exam is mandatory. Following this exam by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon -- an appropriate treatment plan can be created. This may include surgery to correct a possible traumatic abnormality

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

You will definitely need to give it more time to determine if this is an injury that will require surgical correction.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Trauma to the nose can cause a displaced or non-displaced nasal fracture. The upper lateral cartilages can also be fractured off of the nasal bones. This may or may not show up on x-ray. Anytime there is trauma to the nose, bone and cartilage react and can cause a callous formation which may or may not go away. Since it has only been one week it will most likely settle down over the next month or two. Once he is 18, if it is still present it can be filed down and the nasal bones re-set if they are crooked.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Best plan is to see a boarded Plastic Surgeon i person so that the nose can be examined. Sometimes X-Rays do not demonstrate fractures this early...

Somyos Kunachak, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Immediate bleeding following nasal trauma always signify some degree of cartilaginous, bone, or mucosal displacement or rupture. However, xray is not a very reliable tool to demonstrate such defect. Manual examination at an early stage while the swelling has not yet fully taken course would have helped in the diagnosis.I strongly believe that the swelling will eventually subside, but, should it persist longer than 2 weeks, go back to see your specialist.

Doctor said nose is not broken, but there is a bump on the right side. What could it be?

Answers (6)

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